Three months later, the state investigation concluded. Richard Vance was quietly dismissed from the company before the formal charges were filed, and his silver Mercedes disappeared from the executive parking lot. Every single widow received a certified letter with a full reimbursement check, including interest.

My pension check arrived yesterday. It was for the full 1,400 dollars.

I sat at my kitchen table and opened the envelope. I should have felt some massive, triumphant rush of victory. I kept waiting to feel it. But mostly, I just went to the sink, washed Arthur’s peppermint tea mug, and put it back in the cupboard.

I made myself a simple plate of toast and sat down to eat. You win, and then it is just a Tuesday again. But as I looked out at the autumn leaves blowing across my yard, I knew Arthur was resting easy. I was going to be just fine.